2006 LEXUS RX330 tow

AUDIO
310(b) Using the remote control
To use the rear seat entertainment system remote control,
direct
the signal output portion of the remote control to the
signal reception portion of the rear seat entertainment
system display.
The remote control does not operate properly when the signal
reception portion of the display is exposed to direct sunlight.
Block the display from direct sunlight.
CAUTION
To reduce the chance of injury in case of an accident or
a sudden stop while driving, stow the remote control in
the console box or front seatback pocket when it is not
in use.

STARTING AND DRIVING
3923. Release the parking brake and brake pedal. Depress
the accelerator pedal slowly for smooth starting.
In normal cruising, the vehicle will start in first gear and
automatically shift up to the most suitable gear. On inclines,
declines
or winding roads, etc., the vehicle shifts up and down
automatically according to the running conditions to obtain the
suitable driving power and engine braking.
When the lever is in the “4” position, the automatic
transmission system will select the most suitable gear for the
running conditions such as hill climbing, hard towing, etc.
If you need to accelerate rapidly while driving, depress the
accelerator pedal to the full throttle position. This provides
more acceleration by automatically downshifting the
transmission to the next lower gear or beyond, depending on
the vehicle speed.
If engine braking is needed, such as in descending a long hill,
see “(b) Using engine braking”.
(b) Using engine braking
To use the braking power of the engine, downshift the
transmission in the way described below:
1Shift into the “4” position. The transmission will downshift
to fourth gear and engine braking will be enabled.
Vehicle with the cruise control —
When the cruise control is being used, even if you
downshift from “D” to “4”, engine braking will not be
enabled because the cruise control is not cancelled. For
vehicle speed reduction, see page 415.

STARTING AND DRIVING
394
(c) Using the “3”, “2” and “L” positions
The “3”, “2” and “L” positions are used for strong engine\
braking
as described previously.
With the selector lever in “3”, “2” or “L”, you can start the vehicle
in motion as with the lever in “D”.
With the selector lever in “3” or “2”, the vehicle will start in firs\
t
gear and automatically shift to second gear or third gear.
With the selector lever in “L”, the transmission is engaged in
first gear.
NOTICE
 Be careful not to overrev the engine. Watch the
tachometer to keep engine rpm from going into the
red zone. The approximate maximum allowable
speed for each position is given below for your
reference.
“3” 144 km/h (90 mph). . . . . . . .
“2” 92 km/h (58 mph)
. . . . . . . . .
“L” 51 km/h (32 mph)
. . . . . . . . .
 Do not continue hill climbing or hard towing for a long
time in the “3”, “2” or “L” position. This may cause
severe automatic transmission damage from
overheating. To prevent such damage, “4” position
should be used in hill climbing or hard towing.
(d) Backing up
1Brake pedal2“R” (Reverse) position
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. With the brake pedal held down with your foot, shift the
selector lever to the “R” position.
NOTICE
Never shift into reverse while the vehicle is moving.
Vehicles with driving position memory system —
When the shift lever is shifted into “R” position, the outside rear
view mirrors automatically down to help backing up. For
details, see page 231.

STARTING AND DRIVING
396
CAUTION
Never attempt to move the selector lever into “P” under
any circumstances while the vehicle is moving. Serious
mechanical damage and loss of vehicle control may
result.
(f) Good driving practice
 If the transmission repeatedly shifts up and down between
fourth and overdrive gears when climbing a gentle slope,
shift the selector lever to the “4” position. Be sure to shift the
selector lever to the “D” position after climbing the slope.
 When towing a trailer, in order to maintain efficient engine
braking and electrical charging performance, do not use
overdrive.
CAUTION
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped
with the engine running. This prevents the vehicle from
creeping.
NOTICE
Always use the brake pedal or parking brake to hold the
vehicle on an upgrade. Do not attempt to hold the
vehicle using the accelerator pedal, as this can cause
the transmission to overheat.

STARTING AND DRIVING
401
(b) Driving in “S” mode
1Upshifting2Downshifting
3“S” mode position
4Shift range position indicator
You can change the shift range position in the “S” mode.
The shift range position can be switched between “5”
(fifth range) and “1” (first range) by moving the selector
lever up to the “+” side or down to the “” side. The fir\
st
shift range position is “4” (fourth range) when the selector
lever is shifted to the “S” position.
 Shift range position indicator
The shift range position is displayed on the instrument cluster.
 Shift range positions
“5” (fifth range): The most suitable gear is automatically
selected between first and overdrive (fifth) gears according
to vehicle speed and driving conditions. Always use the “5”
(fifth range) position to improve fuel economy and for quiet
driving.
“4” (fourth range): The most s uitable gear is automatically
selected between first and fourth gears according to vehicle
speed and driving conditions. In the “4” (fourth range)
position, the automatic transmission system will select the
most suitable gear to handle current running conditions
such as hill climbing, hard towing, etc.

STARTING AND DRIVING
407
(f) Good driving practice
If the transmission repeatedly shifts up and down between
fourth and overdrive gears when climbing a gentle slope,
shift the selector lever into the “S” position. Be sure to shift
the selector lever to the “D” position after climbing the slope.
 When towing a trailer, in order to maintain efficient engine
braking and electrical charging performance, do not use
overdrive (fifth) gear.
CAUTION
Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped
with the engine running. This prevents the vehicle from
creeping.
NOTICE
Always use the brake pedal or the parking brake to hold
the vehicle on an upgrade. Do not attempt to hold the
vehicle using the accelerator pedal, as this can cause
the transmission to overheat.
(g) If you cannot shift the selector lever
If you cannot shift the selector lever even though the brake
pedal is depressed, use the shift lock override button. For
instructions, see “If you cannot shift automatic transmission
selector lever” on page 524.

STARTING AND DRIVING
427
(g) Resetting to a slower speed
Push the lever down in the “
− SET” direction and hold it. The
displayed speed will decrease in increments of 5 mph (for
U.S.A.) or 5 km/h (for Canada). Release the lever when the
desired speed is attained. The vehicle speed will gradually
decrease to the displayed speed.
However, a faster way to reset is to depress the brake pedal
and then push the lever down in the “ − SET” direction.
If the control lever is released when the vehicle speed exceeds
the upper limit of the preset speed traveling downhill while you
are pushing the lever down, the system will memorize the
upper limit of the preset speed as a preset speed.
With automatic transmission (standard type) —
Even if you downshift the transmission from “D” to “4” in th\
e
vehicle −to−vehicle distance control mode, engine braking will
not be enabled because this mode is not cancelled. To
decrease the vehicle speed, reset to a slower speed with the
cruise control lever or depress the brake pedal. If you use the
brake pedal, cruise control is cancelled.
With automatic transmission (multi −mode type) —
Even if you downshift the transmission from “D” or “5” (fif\
th
range) to the “4” (fourth range) in the vehicle −to−vehicle
distance control mode, engine braking will not be enabled
because this mode is not cancelled. To decrease the vehicle
speed, reset to a slower speed with the cruise control lever or
depress the brake pedal. If you use the brake pedal, cruise
control is cancelled. (h) Changing vehicletovehicle distance
1Long2Middle3Short
You can select one of the distances listed below.
1. Long
2. Middle
3. Short
Pulling the distance switch briefly towards you allows you to
toggle between long, middle and short vehicle −to−vehicle
distances. You can confirm the setting on the display.
Your vehicle speed changes to match the speed of the vehicle
ahead, maintaining the selected distance. However, if the
vehicle ahead slows, the actual vehicle −to−vehicle distance
will be shorter than the set distance.
When the vehicle−to−vehicle distance control mode is
activated or the “READY” indicator comes on, the
vehicle −to−vehicle distance setting can be changed.

STARTING AND DRIVING
446
(e) Turning off the electronically modulated airsuspension
1Height control switch
2Height control “OFF” indicator light
To turn off the electronically modulated air suspension
with the vehicle stopped, push the height control switch.
The height control “OFF” indicator light comes on and the
vehicle height is fixed in the same mode as was last
selected.
This status is maintained in the system even after the engine
is stopped.
If you push the switch again, the height control “OFF” indicator
light goes out and the electronically modulated air suspension
is turned on. When the vehicle’s speed exceeds 30 km/h (19 mph), the
height control “OFF” indicator light goes out and the
electronically modulated air suspension turns on
automatically.
CAUTION

If you drive through water, such as when crossing
shallow streams, first check the depth of the water
and the firmness of the bottom of the river bed then
put the vehicle height into “HI” mode with the height
select switch and turn off the electronically
modulated air suspension by pushing the height
control switch. Drive your vehicle at 30 km/h (19
mph) or slower and avoid deep water.
 When jacking up, installing tire chains or tying your
vehicle with chains or wires for transportation by a
flat bed, be sure to turn off the electronically
modulated air suspension with the height control
switch and stop the engine. Otherwise, the automatic
leveling function may cause the vehicle’s height to
change, resulting in an unexpected accident.
 If your vehicle must be towed, put the vehicle height
in the “N” mode and turn off the electronically
modulated air suspension. Otherwise, the automatic
leveling function may cause the vehicle’s height to
change, resulting in an unexpected accident.